Apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in display device

ABSTRACT

A display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on the first substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the first substrate to transmit signals to the driving portion, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed on the second substrate, wherein the driving portion overlaps with the conductive member, and the signal lines are disposed at a position outside a region of overlap of the conductive member. Accordingly, the capacitances between the signal lines may be substantially the same.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/149,013, filed on Jan. 7, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/275,338, filed on Nov. 21, 2008, which claimspriority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0006755, filed on Jan.22, 2008, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119,the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device and method thereof.More particularly, the present invention relates to a display devicehaving improved display quality and a method of preventing signal delayin the display device.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a plasma display panel (“PDP”), and anorganic light emitting device (“OLED”) are among widely used flat paneldisplays.

Among these flat panel displays, the LCD and the OLED include a displaypanel including switching elements and display signal lines, and a gatedriver outputting gate signals to gate lines among the display signallines to turn on/off the switching elements. The gate driver may be madeof at least one chip or may be integrated with the display panel.

A signal controller that processes externally input image data andcontrols the gate driver uses a plurality of control signals for thecontrol of the gate driver. The signal controller generates varioussignals such as a scanning start signal to instruct the application ofthe gate signal, a gate clock signal to determine the application timeof the pulse width of the gate signal, and an output enable signal todetermine a pulse width of the gate signal.

When integrating the gate driver with the display panel, the signals fordriving the gate driver are transmitted through the signal linesconnected to a signal generator, and the gate driver transmits the gatesignals to the gate lines.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been determined herein, according to the present invention, thatwhen the signal generator transmits signals for driving the drivingportion through the signal lines, the resistance and the capacitancebetween the signal lines must be uniform, and if it is not, such as inthe prior art, a signal delay between the signal lines becomesdifferent. The difference between the signal delays generates aluminance difference between the gate lines such that longitudinalstripes appear in the conventional display.

A display device according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on thefirst substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the firstsubstrate to transmit signals to drive the driving portion, a secondsubstrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed onthe second substrate, wherein the driving portion overlaps with theconductive member, and the signal lines are disposed at a positionoutside a region of overlap of the conductive member.

The signal lines may transmit signals that are changed per period. Thesignals that are changed per period may be clock signals.

The conductive member may be a light blocking member. The light blockingmember may be made of a metal or an organic material. The conductivemember may be a common electrode.

The width of the signal line may be in a range of about 60 μm to about290 μm. An interval between two neighboring signal lines among thesignal lines may be at least about 10 μm.

A distance between a pattern projected by the conductive member on thefirst substrate and the signal line nearest the conductive member may belarger than the interval between two neighboring signal lines.

The display device may further include a plurality of diverged lineswith one end of each being respectively connected to a signal line andthe other ends thereof being connected to the driving portion.

At least some of the diverged lines may include a bent portion with azigzag shape, and lengths of the bent portions with the zigzag shape maybe different from each other.

The bent portions with the zigzag shape may be disposed between thesignal lines and the driving portion.

The diverged lines may overlap the conductive member with differentwidths from each other.

A display device according to other exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on thefirst substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the firstsubstrate and transmitting signals that are changed per period, a secondsubstrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of firstconductive members formed on the second substrate, wherein the firstconductive members respectively face regions between two neighboringsignal lines.

The first conductive members may overlap edge portions of the signallines.

The minimum and maximum of a width of each of the first conductivemembers may respectively be about 10 μm and about {the maximum intervalbetween the signal lines+(the width of the signal line −10 μm)}μm.

The display device may further include a second conductive member formedon the second substrate in an interval between the first conductivemembers and overlapping a central portion of the signal lines.

An interval between the first conductive member and the secondconductive member may be at least about 10 μm.

The width of the first conductive member may be the same as the intervalbetween two neighboring signal lines.

A display device according to still other exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formedon the first substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the firstsubstrate and transmitting signals changed per period, a secondsubstrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed onthe second substrate, wherein the conductive member overlaps the signallines.

The display device may further include an overcoat formed on theconductive member, wherein the overcoat may overlap all the signallines.

According to yet other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, amethod of preventing signal delay in signal lines of a display device,the display device including a first substrate, a driving portion formedon the first substrate, the signal lines formed on the first substrateto transmit signals to the driving portion, and a second substratefacing the first substrate, includes forming a conductive member on thesecond substrate to overlap the driving portion, and arranging theconductive member on the second substrate such that the signal lineshave a substantially same capacitance as each other.

Forming the conductive member on the second substrate may includeforming the conductive member of a light blocking material.

Arranging the conductive member on the second substrate may includeproviding conductive member portions overlapping intervals between thesignal lines.

Arranging the conductive member on the second substrate may include notoverlapping the conductive member with the signal lines.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theresistance and capacitance of each signal line and correspondingdiverged line are substantially the same such that the generation of thesignal delay between the signal lines and between the diverged lines maybe prevented. Accordingly, the difference of the luminance between thegate lines may be prevented, and furthermore the quality of the displaydevice may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be more apparent from the following detailed description withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of an exemplaryliquid crystal display (“LCD”) according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a layout view of an exemplary display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary display device shownin FIG. 4 taken along line V-V;

FIG. 6 is a layout view of an exemplary display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary display device shownin FIG. 6 taken along line VII-VII; and

FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 are cross-sectional views of exemplary display devicesaccording to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize,the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, allwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.Signal lines according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may be applied to various display devices such as a liquidcrystal display (“LCD”), a plasma display panel (“PDP”), a fieldemission display (“FED”), a fluorescent display panel, and an organiclight emitting device (“OLED”). In the accompanying drawings, an LCD isshown and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explainedbased thereon, but the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is not limited to the LCD.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals designate likeelements throughout the specification. It will be understood that whenan element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can bedirectly on, connected or coupled to the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupledto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one device or element's relationship to another device(s) orelement(s) as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the drawings.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Now, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is anequivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of an exemplary LCD according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a display device according to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a display panel assembly300, a gate driver 400 and a data driver 500 connected to the displaypanel assembly 300, a gray voltage generator 800 connected to the datadriver 500, and a signal controller 600 connected to the gate driver 400and the data driver 500 for controlling the gate driver 400 and datadriver 500.

In terms of an equivalent circuit, the display panel assembly 300includes a plurality of signal lines G₁-G_(n) and D₁-D_(m) and aplurality of pixels PX connected with the plurality of signal linesG₁-G_(n) and D₁-D_(m) and arranged substantially in a matrix form.

The signal lines G₁-G_(n) and D₁-D_(m) include a plurality of gate linesG₁-G_(n) for transferring gate signals (also referred to as scansignals), and a plurality of data lines D₁-D_(m) for transferring datasignals. The gate lines G₁-G_(n) extend substantially in a rowdirection, such as a first direction, and are substantially parallel toeach other, and the data lines and D₁-D_(m) extend substantially in acolumn direction, such as a second direction, and are substantiallyparallel to each other. The first direction may be substantiallyperpendicular to the second direction.

Each pixel PX, for example a pixel PX that is connected to an i-th (i=1,2, . . . , n) gate line G_(i) and a j-th (j=1, 2, . . . , m) data lineD_(j), includes a switching element Q that is connected to the signallines G_(i) and D_(j) and a pixel circuit that is connected thereto.

The switching element Q is a three terminal element such as a thin filmtransistor (“TFT”) that is provided in the lower panel 100, which mayalso be termed the TFT array panel 100, and a control terminal thereof,such as a gate electrode, is connected to the gate line G_(i), an inputterminal thereof, such as a source electrode, is connected to the dataline D_(j), and an output terminal, such as a drain electrode, thereofis connected to a liquid crystal capacitor Clc and a storage capacitorCst. Also, the switching element Q may include amorphous silicon(“a-Si”).

In the case of an LCD as a representative flat panel display, as shownin FIG. 2, the display panel assembly 300 includes the lower panel 100and an upper panel 200 with a liquid crystal layer 3 formedtherebetween, and the display signal lines G₁-G_(n) and D₁-D_(m) and theswitching elements Q are provided on the lower panel 100. The pixelcircuit of the LCD includes the liquid crystal capacitor Clc and thestorage capacitor Cst connected to the switching element Q. In analternative exemplary embodiment, the storage capacitor Cst may beomitted, if necessary.

The liquid crystal capacitor Clc includes a pixel electrode 191 on thelower panel 100 and a common electrode 270 on the upper panel 200 as twoterminals. The liquid crystal layer 3 disposed between the pixelelectrode 191 and the common electrode 270 functions as a dielectric ofthe liquid crystal capacitor Clc. The pixel electrode 191 is connectedto the switching element Q, and the common electrode 270 covers theentire surface, or substantially the entire surface, of the upper panel200 and is supplied with a common voltage Vcom. Alternatively, thecommon electrode 270 may be provided on the lower panel 100. In such anembodiment, at least one of the two electrodes 191 and 270 may have ashape of a bar or a stripe.

FIG. 2 shows that each pixel may include a color filter 230 displayingone color in a set of colors, such as primary colors, on the region ofthe upper panel 200 corresponding to the pixel electrode 191.Alternatively, the color filter 230 may be provided on or under thepixel electrode 191 on the lower panel 100.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the gate driver 400 is connected to the gatelines G₁-G_(n) of the display panel assembly 300, and applies gatesignals to the gate lines G₁-G_(n). The gate driver 400 may beintegrated with the display panel assembly 300 by being formed with thesame process as that of the switching element Q of the pixel PX.However, the gate driver 400 may be formed from a different process andconnected to the display panel assembly 300 differently. In FIG. 1, thegate driver 400 is disposed on one end of the display panel assembly300. However, as shown in FIG. 3, a gate driver 400 may be disposed oneach end of the display panel assembly 300.

The gate driver 400 applies gate signals having two values of thegate-on voltage Von and the gate-off voltage Voff according to thescanning start signal STV and a pair of clock signals CK, such as CKVand CKVB, from the signal controller 600 to the gate lines G₁-G_(n),such that the switching elements Q connected to the gate lines G₁-G_(n)are turned on or turned off. Here, the scanning start signal STV and thepair of clock signals CKV and CKVB are transmitted from the signalcontroller 600 to the gate driver 400 through the signal lines formed onthe lower panel 100 directly as shown, or, alternatively, via the datadriver 500.

Next, the structure of the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 as well as FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of an exemplary display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is across-sectional view of the exemplary display device shown in FIG. 4taken along line V-V.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a gate driver 400 for transmitting gatesignals is disposed adjacent an end edge of a display area PA includingpixels PX. In the illustrated embodiment, the gate driver 400 isintegrated with a lower substrate 110, and may be integrated at bothedges of the display area PA, as previously described with respect toFIG. 3.

Four signal lines 121 for transmitting signals that are changed perperiod are formed at the side of the gate driver 400. The signal lines121 extend in a vertical direction, the second direction, and areapplied with a control signal from the signal controller 600. Thecontrol signal may be the clock signal CKV or CKVB, and the number ofsignal lines 121 may be variously changed according to designconditions. Also, the signal lines 121 may include all linestransmitting a DC signal as well as an AC signal.

A plurality of diverged lines 125 are respectively connected to thesignal lines 121, and transmit signals such as clock signals per periodto the gate driver 400. The diverged lines 125 may be made of the samematerial as the signal lines 121, and the widths thereof may all be thesame or substantially the same. However, the diverged lines 125 may havedifferent widths or different thicknesses from each other.

The signal lines 121 are extended in the vertical direction, the seconddirection, with a predetermined interval therebetween such thatdistances to the gate driver 400 therefrom are respectively different.However, the diverged lines 125 include bent portions 125 p with azigzag shape such that the lengths of the diverged lines 125 may all bethe same or substantially the same, or may be different by apredetermined value, from the signal lines 121 to the gate driver 400.Accordingly, the entire resistance value of the signal lines 121 and thediverged lines 125 are the same, or substantially the same, or have adifference of a predetermined value. The bent portions 125 p with azigzag shape may be disposed between the signal lines 121 and the gatedriver 400.

In detail, the diverged line 125 connected to the signal line 121furthest from the gate driver 400 does not include the bent portions 125p with a zigzag shape, and the diverged lines 125 connected to thesignal lines 121 disposed relatively nearer to the gate driver 400include the bent portions 125 p with a zigzag shape in order to extend alength of the diverged lines 125 that are disposed nearer to the gatedriver 400. The lengths of the bent portions 125 p with a zigzag shapeare controlled according to the distance between the signal lines 121and the gate driver 400. For example, the number of zigzags is variedaccording to the distance between the signal lines 121 and the gatedriver 400. Thereby, the total lengths of the diverged lines 125 are thesame or have a difference of the predetermined value. Therefore, theresistance of the signal lines 121 and their corresponding divergedlines 125 may be made to be the same.

While the diverged lines 125 are disclosed as including bent portions125 p such that the total lengths of the diverged lines 125 are thesame, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the widths of the divergedlines 125 may be varied depending on the proximity of the correspondingsignal line 121 to the gate driver 400. For example, a diverged line 125connected to a signal line 121 further from the gate driver 400 may bewider than a diverged line 125 connected to a signal line 121 closer tothe gate driver 400. In such an embodiment, the widths of the divergedlines 125 may be controlled such that the resistance of the signal lines121 and their corresponding diverged lines 125 may be made to be thesame.

An upper substrate 210 faces the lower substrate 110, and a conductivemember is formed on the upper substrate 210.

The conductive member as a material that may generate capacitance alongwith the signal lines 121 includes a metal and an organic material. Forexample, the conductive member may be a light blocking member 220 madeof the organic material or the metal, or may be the common electrode 270made of indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or indium zinc oxide (“IZO”). Also, aconductive member including the light blocking member 220 and the commonelectrode 270 may be indicated. According to a result of an experiment,a light blocking member 220 that is made of the organic material hasresistance of at most about 10¹⁰ Ω·cm and dielectric constant of equalto or over about 25. such that it may generate capacitance along withthe signal lines 121.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the case in which the conductivemember is made of only the light blocking member 220 is described.

The light blocking member 220 is formed on the upper substrate 210adjacent the edge of the display area PA and blocks light leakage on theedge. The light blocking member 220 is further formed inside the displayarea PA, and the light blocking member 220 includes a plurality ofopenings facing the pixel electrodes 191 and having almost the sameshape as the pixel electrodes 191 to block light leakage between thepixel electrodes 191. An insulating layer (not shown) and the commonelectrode 270 are sequentially formed on the light blocking member 220disposed inside the display area PA. The insulating layer and the commonelectrode 270 may also be formed on the light blocking member 220disposed adjacent the edge of the display area PA.

The light blocking member 220 disposed adjacent the edge of the displayarea PA overlaps the gate driver 400, but does not overlap the signallines 121.

Among the signal lines 121, a distance r between the signal line 121disposed at the innermost side of the lower substrate 110 and thepattern of the light blocking member 220 projected to the lowersubstrate 110 is at least about 10 μm. If the distance r is less than 10μm, when a misalignment occurs while combining the upper substrate 210and the lower substrate 110, capacitance is generated between the lightblocking member 220 and the signal line 121 disposed at the innermostside such that longitudinal stripes may appear. That is, since misalignmargin of the upper substrate 210 and the lower substrate 110 is at most10 μm, if the distance r is less than 10 μm then the light blockingmember 220 may overlap the signal line 121 disposed at the innermostside due to a misalignment to generate capacitance between them. Themaximum value of the distance r is restricted by the distance betweenthe signal line 121 at the innermost side and the gate driver 400.

An interval s₁ between two neighboring signal lines 121 may at leastabout 10 μm. If the interval s₁ between two neighboring signal lines 121is less than 10 μm, the signal lines 121 may be shorted or parasiticcapacitance generated between two neighboring signal lines 121 may beover a permitted value.

The width w₁ of the signal lines 121 is in a range of about 60 μm toabout 290 μm. If the width w₁ of the signal lines 121 is less than 60μm, the resistance thereof may be increased, and if the width w₁ of thesignal lines 121 is more than 290 μm, the capacitance may be increased.However, the width wi of the signal lines 121 may be changed accordingto the design.

According to this structure as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the signal lines121 are not overlapped by the light blocking member 220 such that thesignal lines 121 may substantially have the same resistance and the samecapacitance. Also, the diverged lines 125 respectively overlap the lightblocking member 220 with a different width such that the overlappingareas between the diverged lines 125 and the light blocking member 220may all be the same. Accordingly, the diverged lines 125 may all havesubstantially the same resistance and the same capacitance.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the light blocking member 220formed adjacent the edge of the display area PA may overlap the gatedriver 400 and a plurality of signal lines 121. An overcoat 250providing a flat surface may be formed on the light blocking member 220.

Next, a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6and FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a layout view of an exemplary display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is across-sectional view of the exemplary display device shown in FIG. 6taken along line VII-VII.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a display device according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a lower substrate 110, a gatedriver 400 formed on the lower substrate 110, a plurality of signallines 121 formed on the side of the gate driver 400, a plurality ofdiverged lines 125 connected to the signal lines 121 and including abent portion 125 p with a zigzag shape, an upper substrate 210 facingthe lower substrate 110, and a light blocking member 220 formed on theupper substrate 210.

The structures of the lower substrate 110, the gate driver 400, thesignal lines 121, the diverged lines 125, the upper substrate 210, andthe light blocking member 220 disposed inside the display area PAaccording to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the sameas the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

However, the light blocking member 220 disposed adjacent the edge of thedisplay area PA includes a plurality of light blocking members 220 thatare separated, different from the light blocking member 220 of FIG. 4and FIG. 5.

The light blocking members 220 include light blocking members 220 arespectively facing the regions between two neighboring signal lines 121and a light blocking member 220 c overlapping portions of the gatedriver 400 and the diverged lines 125.

The minimum of the width w₂ of the light blocking members 220 a facingthe regions between two neighboring signal lines 121 may be about 10 μmand the maximum thereof may be about {the maximum interval s₁ betweenthe signal lines 121+(the width w₁ of the signal lines 121-10 μm)}μm,and portions of the light blocking members 220 a overlap edge portionsof the signal lines 121. Also, the light blocking member 220 coverlapping the gate driver 400 overlaps the edge portion of the signalline 121 disposed on the innermost part of the lower substrate 110. Theminimum of the width e of the portion that the light blocking members220 a and 220 c overlap the signal line 121 may be about 9 μm, and themaximum thereof may be about {(the width w₁ of the signal line 121-10μm)/2}μm. If the width e is less than 9 μm, when an error is generatedwhile aligning the upper and lower substrates 210 and 110, the lightblocking members 220 a and 220 c do not cover between the signal lines121 such that the light leakage may be generated, and if the width e ismore than {(the width w₁ of the signal line 121-10 μm)/2}μm, thecapacitance generated between the light blocking members 220 a and 220 cand the signal lines 121 may be increased such that a delay of thecontrol signal may exceed a permitted range.

However, if the upper and lower substrates 210 and 110 are combinedwithout an overlap, as shown in FIG. 8, the light blocking members 220 acorresponding to the regions between two signal lines 121 do not overlapthe signal lines 121. Here, the light blocking member 220 c overlappingthe gate driver 400 does not overlap the edge portion of the signal line121 disposed in the innermost part of the lower substrate 110. However,the light blocking member 220 c overlapping the gate driver 400 mayalternatively overlap the edge portion of the signal line 121 disposedat the innermost part of the lower substrate 110.

Next, a display device according to other exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9and FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary display deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary display deviceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a display device according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a lower substrate 110, a gatedriver 400 formed on the lower substrate 110, a plurality of signallines 121 formed on the side of the gate driver 400, a plurality ofdiverged lines 125 connected to the signal lines 121, an upper substrate210 facing the lower substrate 110, and light a blocking member 220formed on the upper substrate 210.

The structures of the lower substrate 110, the gate driver 400, thesignal lines 121, the diverged lines 125, the upper substrate 210, andthe light blocking member 220 disposed inside the display area PAaccording to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the sameas the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

However, the light blocking member 220 disposed adjacent the edge of thedisplay area PA includes a plurality of light blocking members 220 thatare separated, different from the light blocking member 220 of FIG. 4and FIG. 5.

The light blocking member 220 includes first light blocking members 220a facing the regions between two neighboring signal lines 121, secondlight blocking members 220 b overlapping the central portion of thesignal lines 121, and a third light blocking member 220 c overlappingportions of the gate driver 400 and the diverged lines 125.

The first light blocking members 220 a overlap the edge portions of thesignal lines 121. Also, the third light blocking member 220 c overlapsthe edge portion of the signal line 121 disposed at the innermost partof the lower substrate 110. The minimum of the width e of theoverlapping portion between the first and third light blocking member220 a and 220 c, and the corresponding signal line 121, may be about 9μm, and the maximum thereof may be about {(the width w₁ of the signalline 121-10 μm)/2}μm. If the width e is less than 9 μm, if an error isgenerated while aligning the upper and lower substrates 210 and 110, thelight blocking members 220 a and 220 c are not covered between thesignal lines 121 such that light leakage may be generated, and if thewidth e is more than {(the width w₁ of the signal line 121-10 μm)/2}μm,the capacitance generated between the light blocking members 220 a and220 c and the signal lines 121 may be increased such that a delay of thecontrol signal may over a permitted range.

The second light blocking members 220 b are disposed between two firstlight blocking members 220 a, and between the first light blockingmember 220 a and the third light blocking member 220 c, and have aninterval between the first and third light blocking members 220 a and220 c. The second light blocking members 220 b overlap a central regionof the signal lines 121, and minimize light leakage reflected from thesignal lines 121. The second light blocking members 220 b may have awidth smaller than a width of the signal lines 121.

The minimum of the interval s₂ between the second light blocking member220 b and the first light blocking member 220 a may be about 10 μm. Ifthe interval s₂ between the second light blocking member 220 b and thefirst light blocking member 220 a is less than 10 μm, the capacitancebetween the light blocking member 220 and the signal lines 121 issignificantly increased such that the delay of the control signal mayexceed the permitted range.

On the other hand, if the upper and lower substrates 210 and 110 arecombined without the overlap, as shown in FIG. 10, the light blockingmember 220 a may not overlap the signal lines 121. The light blockingmember 220 b may still overlap a central region of the signal lines 121,as in FIG. 9. Here, the light blocking member 220 c does not overlap theedge portion of the signal line 121 disposed at the innermost part ofthe lower substrate 110. However, in an alternative exemplaryembodiment, the third light blocking member 220 c may overlap the edgeportion of the signal line 121 disposed at the innermost part of thelower substrate 110.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substrate; adriving portion formed on the first substrate; a plurality of signallines formed on the first substrate and transmitting signals that arechanged per period; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and aconductive member formed on the second substrate, wherein the conductivemember overlaps the signal lines.
 2. The display device of claim 1,wherein a distance between a pattern which is formed by projecting theconductive member on the first substrate and the signal line nearest theconductive member is at least about 10 μm.
 3. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the conductive member has resistivity at most about10¹⁰ Ω·cm and dielectric constant at least about
 25. 4. The displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising an overcoat formed on theconductive member, wherein the overcoat overlaps all the signal lines.